When will your iPad become obsolete?

All Apple products have a shelf-life. Your tablet is no exception.

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Believe it or not, it's been 12 years since Steve Jobs introduced the iPad to the world.

Since then, Apple's iconic tablet has gone through several iterations, adding cellular capability, sophisticated camera technology, and robust processing power. Initially confusing to critics who didn't understand the need for a device that was neither a smartphone nor a laptop, the iPad has proven the haters wrong and become a mainstay.

If you're in the market for an upgrade, the latest versions have come a long way since the original. The current iPad lineup consists of the iPad Pro, iPad Air, iPad, and iPad mini. Since, this year's Apple events announced the next generation of iPads (and iPad Air) which bumps the older versions of iPads one step closer towards obsolescence.

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Obsolete iPads

Technically speaking, obsolete Apple products are no longer eligible for service or repairs. For an Apple product to be declared obsolete means that production has been stopped for seven years. Here's the current list of obsolete iPads.

iPad (4th generation) Wi-Fi
iPad (4th generation) Wi-Fi + Cellular
iPad (4th generation) Wi-Fi + Cellular (MM)
iPad [original]
iPad 3G
iPad (3rd generation) Wi-Fi
iPad (3rd generation) Wi-Fi + Cellular
iPad (3rd generation) Wi-Fi + Cellular (VZ)
iPad Wi-Fi
iPad Wi-Fi + 3G
iPad Wi-Fi + 4G
iPad Wi-Fi + 4G (Verizon)
iPad 2 Wi-Fi
iPad 2 Wi-Fi + 3G
iPad 2 Wi-Fi + 3G (Verizon)
SEE ALSO: When will your Mac desktop computer become obsolete?

Vintage iPads

iPads that haven't been produced for a minimum five years and a maximum of seven years are considered "vintage" iPads. That means you might be able to extend it's life a little longer depending on available inventory and the type of service it needs.